Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel calls goalkeeper Tim Howard of the United States Men's National soccer team to thank him for defending the United States of America at the World Cup.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard to thank him for defending the United States of America at the World Cup, the Pentagon says.

Howard stopped 16 shots on goal — the most for any goalkeeper at a World Cup match in more than 50 years — leading many on Twitter to call him an American hero and at least one Wikipedia user to name him the U.S. Secretary of Defense, for a moment.

Sec. Hagel must have thought that was funny, because in Wednesday's call with the American goalkeeper he told him that with a little training, Howard could someday become the real secretary of defense, according to a readout of the call the Pentagon sent to reporters.

He also tweeted: "From 1 SecDef to another: Hagel calls @timhowardgk to say thanks for defending USA. We (USA) are proud of @ussoccer!"

Howard, 35, hasn't tweeted about the call so we don't know for sure what he's thinking. But who knows — maybe it's time Howard rides all this patriotic love on an eagle's wings to higher office.

Neither Hagel, nor The White House, meanwhile, has responded to a petition requesting the government change the name of Washington National Airport (DCA) to Tim Howard National Airport.

“Whereas Tim Howard has shown himself to be a national treasure, Minister of Defense, Friend of Joe Biden, and the holder for the record of most saves in a World Cup match,” the petition says, “Therefore, we politely request that we rename the airport to recognize his accomplishments, and meritorious service to the United States of America.”